The year is 2009 and the class of 2016 is just starting middle school. I am not sure about you, but middle school was a hilarious highlight of my life so far. Especially my first middle school dance — I had never even been near other boys so close in my life! I mean, wow! So let’s throw back, here is what my first middle school dance sounded like back in 2009.

Before we had Justin Bieber and One Direction rocking our middle school dances (I chaperoned one last year and I was greatly disappointed) we had some really “sick” songs.

1. "Shark in the Water" by V V Brown.

Once we all seemed to get there, I remember this song the most; it was the first one played. I watched my friend dance around me and my crush at the time. I also remember the iconic "shark fin" forehead move as we totally were sharks in the water.

2. "Good Girls Go Bad" by Cobra Starship.

Now personally, this is what introduced me to this band my sixth grade year. Now I own all the albums, so I do have a personal bias towards this amazing group. I remember dancing "dirty" to this song and my friends and I all laughing because we were so "bad," even though I wasn't even allowed out of the house with eye shadow at the time.

3. "So What" by P!nk.

I don't know about you, but this song was honestly so "turn up" material back in the day. The idea of being as edgy as her some day was totally in my mind my sixth grade year.

4. "Party in the USA" by Miley Cyrus

This song throws back to when all the moms loved Miley, but also when she danced on a strip pole during her concert and lost the love of parents. What tweenager didn't like this song, though? I mean it was a party in the USA when it came on. Shout out if it still comes on your Pandora and you still know all the words.

5. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)" by Beyoncé.

This was most middle school kids' experience with the queen, and I am one of them. Who can't remember doing the whole dance with your friends. Also, let's not forget the petty middle school "couple" fights because how dare you put your hand up when you are totally dating Dominic, you are not a single lady, Janice.

6. "She Wolf" by Shakira.

At the age of like, 11 or 12, this music video was beyond racy for me. I didn't even care about the words, but I remember this song playing at our Halloween dance. I am still not sure what this song is even about to be honest, but I still get the dance vibes seven years later.

7. "Tik Tok" by Ke$ha.

This song was the ultimate edge for my house when I was 11 years old; I still have it burned on a CD I play regularly in my car. Some hits will never die, and for me, this is one of them. I remember dancing and feeling all naughty as it spoke of drinking at our age.

8. "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga

My 6-year-old nephew at the time knew every word to this song it was so popular. You could not escape the Gaga and personally, I am happy about that. Being in middle school and trying to find yourself at that awkward dance, this song just made you feel so upbeat and positive about yourself. You can do anything, no one is watching, I mean we have our poker faces.

9. "Hot N Cold" by Katy Perry.

Who even cares this song came out in 2007, this song was it. Every dance I've been to it has played. It understood you at 12 so perfectly. I mean, I wanted to "date" this boy, but he was always changing his mind. Funny how the guy that I really liked was at this dance, asked me out when it ended, and I said no in fear. I later said yes and changed my mind, but I mean here we are seven years later and he is gay; you never know in middle school.

10. "When I Grow Up" by The Pussycat Dolls.

This was even on the Kids Choice Awards, it had to be fire, right? Yes! I remember my best friend at the time pretend-grinded on me to this song, and I was so embarrassed, but she sure had it then and even at prom our senior year all this skills as children really paid off for her in the long run. I mean, wow. I'm sure we all wanted what they were talking about when we were in middle school — I mean, who didn't want boobies?

Reflecting on these songs and I still really do enjoy all of them, no matter how awful middle school was (no one wants to see those photos, admit it). Those dances were always fire. Just listen to some old songs and think about how old you were when you danced to them.. No wonder we are this way, but middle school music helped make us who we are.